Amuse

Amuse is a Sweden-based digital music distributor founded in 2015, built as a mobile-first platform for independent artists. It offers unlimited distribution starting at $23.99/year with 100% streaming royalty retention. Amuse killed its free tier in March 2024, ending the promise of free distribution that built its reputation. Its current differentiator is automated royalty advances (Early Access and Fast Forward), which let artists get paid before platforms report earnings, plus AI mastering built into the web app.

Pricing and Plans

Amuse runs three annual subscription tiers. All include unlimited releases to 53 platforms and 100% streaming royalty retention:

• Artist ($23.99/year, $1.99/month): 1 artist profile, basic analytics, 24-hour release option (Release ASAP), automated advances, mobile app. YouTube Content ID carries a 15% fee. Collaborator splits take an additional 15% cut from unsubscribed collaborators.
• Artist Plus ($39.99/year, $3.33/month): 2 artist profiles, hi-res audio support, fan email collection, free collaborator splits (no extra cut), faster support (72 hours).
• Professional ($59.99/year, $5.00/month): 3+ artist profiles, custom label name, autosave links (fans auto-save all future releases), priority support (24 hours), team accounts.

The price differences between tiers are not about distribution quality. Every plan delivers to the same 53 outlets, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, TikTok, Amazon Music, and Tidal. The tiers are about how many artist profiles you manage and which add-on features you access.

The 25% Cancellation Penalty

This is the detail most artists miss. If you cancel your Amuse subscription, Amuse takes a 25% cut of everything your catalog earns going forward. This is not a standard takedown policy. It is a revenue share penalty for leaving. Most subscription distributors either remove your music on cancellation (DistroKid, TuneCore) or keep it live (LANDR, CD Baby). Amuse is unique in charging you a quarter of your earnings for stopping payment.

Automated Royalty Advances

Amuse's real differentiator is its financial services. Through Early Access and Fast Forward, artists can get paid before streaming platforms report and remit earnings:

• Early Access: Get advances on upcoming royalty payments based on your streaming history.
• Fast Forward: Faster payout processing for recent earnings.

These advances are not loans. They are advances against future earnings, repaid from your royalty streams. The terms and fees vary based on your catalog's performance. This is useful for artists who need cash flow before the standard 60 to 90 day platform reporting cycle pays out.

Artist and Label Services

For artists averaging 250,000+ monthly streams, Amuse offers an application-based Artist and Label Services tier that includes:

• In-house sync representation
• Release support and marketing
• End-to-end catalog services
• Funding and revenue management
• Artists retain master rights

This is not available to all artists. It is a selective, invitation-based service for acts with demonstrated traction.

Submission and Upload Process

1. Download the Amuse app (iOS or Android) or use the web app.
2. Choose a subscription plan.
3. Upload audio files and cover art from your phone or computer.
4. Enter release metadata. Amuse generates ISRC and UPC codes.
5. Select "Release ASAP" for fastest delivery (24 hours) or set a custom date (7 days for Professional, 10 for Artist Plus, 14 for Artist).
6. Set up royalty splits if on Artist Plus or Professional.
7. Submit. Amuse delivers to 53 platforms.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Only 53 platforms. Amuse distributes to 53 outlets, fewer than DistroKid (150+), TuneCore (150+), and CD Baby (150+). If you need maximum store coverage, Amuse is narrower.
• 25% cancellation penalty. Cancel your subscription and Amuse takes 25% of your catalog's earnings. No other major distributor does this. Read the terms carefully before signing up.
• No free tier anymore. Old reviews mentioning free Amuse distribution are outdated. The cheapest entry point is $23.99/year.
• 15% Content ID fee on Artist tier. YouTube Content ID revenue carries a 15% fee on the basic plan. Upgrade to Artist Plus or Professional to remove it.
• Collaborator split penalty on Artist tier. If you use the Artist plan and split royalties with unsubscribed collaborators, Amuse takes an additional 15% from those collaborators. Upgrade to Artist Plus for free splits.
• Mobile-first means limited desktop workflow. Amuse was built as an app. The web app exists but the experience is optimized for mobile. If you prefer a desktop-first workflow, DistroKid or TuneCore are better suited.

Who Amuse Is Best For

Amuse is best for mobile-first artists who want quick uploads, automated royalty advances, and AI mastering in one app. The 24-hour Release ASAP feature matches DistroKid's delivery speed. The advance services are genuinely useful for artists who need cash flow before platforms pay out (typically 60 to 90 days).

Amuse is less ideal for artists who want maximum store coverage (53 vs 150+), artists concerned about the 25% cancellation penalty, or desktop-first producers who find mobile workflows limiting. If you want a free tier, RouteNote or UnitedMasters offer one. If you want the widest store coverage, DistroKid or TuneCore deliver to 150+.

Pros and Cons Comparison

Notable Artists Who Use Amuse

Amuse has been associated with several breakthrough artists, particularly through its licensing and label services arm. The company reports working with hundreds of thousands of artists and managing tailored partnerships with over 400 artists and teams:

• Lil Nas X: Uploaded "Old Town Road" through Amuse in late 2018. Amuse's algorithms detected the song's viral traction in early 2019 and offered a licensing deal reported at over $1 million. Lil Nas X declined and signed with Columbia Records instead. "Old Town Road" spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Yot Club: The indie pop artist surpassed 1 billion streams during his partnership with Amuse. He chose Amuse over multiple major labels in 2021 based on their artist-friendly funding and licensing model.
• Hotel Ugly: Surpassed 1 billion streams during their Amuse partnership. Received US Gold and Platinum certifications.
• Vundabar: The indie rock band received certified gold and platinum status for their singles through Amuse distribution.
• 80purppp: The Canadian rap and R&B artist received certified gold and platinum status in the US, Canada, and Australia through Amuse.
• Imogen Heap: The Grammy-winning British artist distributed music through Amuse, calling the app "brilliant, simple, gets the job done." She has worked with artists including Deadmau5, Britney Spears, and Taylor Swift.
• Penelope Scott: The indie pop artist is part of Amuse's licensed label roster.
• Fumez the Engineer: The UK drill producer is part of Amuse's licensed artist roster.

Video Gallery

The following videos provide additional context about Amuse, its features, and how it compares to other distributors.

Don't Trust Amuse.io with Your Music

This video from artist Stephen McLeod documents his experience with Amuse's policy changes, including the discontinuation of the free tier in March 2024 and the communication around re-uploading legacy releases. It raises concerns about transparency in how Amuse handled the transition from free to paid distribution.

Amuse vs Ditto: Music Distribution

This comparison video from Pay Us No Mind breaks down the differences between Amuse and Ditto Music across pricing, royalty percentages, store coverage, and approximately 10 other features. It covers the cancellation policies, Content ID fees, and which distributor offers better value for different types of artists.

Related Resources

• Music Distribution Services Compared - Broader distributor comparison
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project your earnings
• Best Apps for Musicians 2026 - Mobile tools for artists
• Amuse Official Website - Current pricing and sign-up

Similar Music Distributors

• DistroKid - Flat annual subscription at $24.99/year for unlimited uploads with 100% royalty retention. 150+ stores and 24 to 72 hour delivery.
• TuneCore - Annual subscription with unlimited uploads. Includes publishing administration on higher tiers.
• UnitedMasters - Hybrid model with a free tier and paid plans starting at $19.99/year. Brand partnership pipeline with the NBA and NFL.
• CD Baby - One-time fee per release with 9% commission. Music stays live forever with no annual subscription.
• RouteNote - Free distribution tier with 15% commission, or paid plan with 100% royalty retention.
• LANDR - Distribution bundled with AI mastering services. Annual subscription model.
• Ditto Music - Annual subscription starting at $19/year. Includes sync licensing opportunities on the Pro plan.
• Symphonic - Full-service distributor with publishing admin, sync licensing, and label services included.